The Old Salt

His real name is Gordon Murray, but most people know him as either “Bud” or “Gordo” or “G-Man”, or as the grandkids call him, “Papa Gordo.”  Well, most of the grandkids.  Mina affectionately called him, “Caca Dodo” as a toddler, and then Will followed suit with calling him, “Purple Girdle.”  The grandchildren all love him and he the same.

Gordo knows much about a lot, or is it a lot about much?  Whatever it is, he does.  He knows everything there is to know about wood, and as such can build you just about anything .  He has helped us around the house with more things that I can recount. 

Case in point, in the recent ice storm we had many trees come down.  One hit the shed and the boat, damaging both.  Gordon came over the next day, chainsaw buzzing.  He fixed the hole in the roof of the shed, and helped re-cover/winterize the boat.  He also wired our house so if/when we do lose power again, we simply turn on our generator, and a good portion of our house will be operational.

He knows the sea like he knows wood as he literally grew up on a boat, and he is currently building his own boat.  His current hobby is art, and he's pretty darn good at it.

He has been “married” to my mother-in-law, Joline, for about 15+ years now.  Alright, so they aren’t “officially” married in the traditional sense.  But in every other sense they are.   They bicker and squabble and love each other. 

Gordon, Gordo, G-Man, Bud, Papa Gordo, Caca Dodo, Purple Girdle…any way you say it, we love you!

 

Comments

[t5m]

What a great tribute to the G-Man! It's so true, he's an amazing guy with a wealth of knowledge about so many different things! We are so fortunate to have him in our family! ...plus he keeps the old lady occupied! (ha ha! ...you know I'm just kidding mom!) :-) I'm still your favorite, right?

[K-Sea]

I am going to miss him. It was reassuring having him around. When the power was out and trees were down all over the yard he showed up the next day and went right to work. Whenever I needed a hand around the house he was there.

In some ways I've always felt short changed that my dad died so young. We never got to work on projects around the house. I can't imagine all the things I HAVEN"T learned not having him around. Having Gordon around I can't help but feel I'm making up for the lost lessons.

Thanks Gordo!

[joline Casey]

Wait a minute, what about me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MaineMom]

BTW, tonight Will asked why, "Papa Gino's car is in our driveway..."